Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
  • A62C3/06—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places of highly inflammable material, e.g. light metals, petroleum products
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C31/00—Delivery of fire-extinguishing material
  • A62C31/02—Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing
  • A62C31/24—Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing attached to ladders, poles, towers, or other structures with or without rotary heads

Definitions

• Traditional fire fighting methods for fighting fires in storage tanks containing flammable liquids may require the application of a plurality of fire-fighting agents fired from one or more discharge devices.
• These methods include: a) Methods of fire fighting over long distances including fixed, semi-portable or portable systems that discharge fire-fighting agents from a position located away from the storage tank. These methods include: fixed monitors, semi-portable monitors, fixed cannons, vehicle mounted cannons, manual nozzles, etc.
• Fixed Systems permanently installed in the storage tanks include fixed foam chambers mounted on the roof of the storage tank, perimeter discharge systems or seal area protection systems in floating roof tanks, sub-surface injection systems, etc.
• Portable systems that are used to mount discharge devices in the storage tanks.
• Each of these traditional methods of fire fighting has certain limitations that may include one or more of the following: its effectiveness in the application of the fire-fighting agent; the operating requirements of the system; the costs associated with the acquisition of fire fighting equipment and the necessary peripheral equipment; the costs associated with the operation of the equipment, such as the volume of fire-fighting agent consumed; the time required to extinguish the fire and resume normal operations; and associated damages related to property, plant, equipment and lost production.
• the limitations of the methods of fire fighting over long distances discussed in point a) above include the following: the minimum system pressure required for fire-fighting agents to reach the surface of the flammable liquid in the tank is significantly higher of storage; the costs of acquiring, maintaining and operating fire fighting equipment are significantly higher when operating at these higher pressures; The radial component of the flow velocity has more time to develop, thus dispersing the flow of the fluid and therefore, increasing the cross-section of the impact area of the fire-fighting agent, thus decreasing the concentration of the fire-fighting agent and finally reducing the effectiveness of the fire-fighting agent in putting out the fire; the atmospheric winds surrounding the tank and the convection gases that arise from the fire also contribute significantly to the dispersion of the fire-fighting agent and therefore reduce the effectiveness of the fire-fighting agent in putting out the fire; and the longer the path of the counter agent current is fire from the point of discharge to the target area, the amount of air drawn into the fire-fighting agent stream and on the surface of the flammable liquid is increased and thereby the oxygen
• Foam chambers permanently installed on the roof of the storage tank traditionally the first line of defense in the case of a fire, are highly vulnerable and often remain inoperable in the initial phase of the conflagration when violent explosions can occur; Y
• Sub-Surface Injection Systems may be inoperable due to the effects of an explosion and more frequently due to system obstructions.
• applicants have developed a portable system to extinguish fires in storage tanks containing flammable liquids, which seeks to complement the positive aspects of performance of such methods and by at the same time solve many of its performance limitations in key aspects.
• the portable unloader is adapted to deliver a fire-fighting agent, at a relatively low pressure, to the roof of the burning storage tank in order to extinguish the fire.
• the fire-fighting agent can be applied to the surface of the burning liquid, in either of the following two ways: indirectly by discharging the fire-fighting agent against the interior walls of the storage tank or directly on the burning surface.
• the portable unloader can be installed in the storage tank with a portable installer that can repeatedly install a plurality of portable unloading devices in a burning storage tank.
• the portable unloader is suitable for use with a wide variety of storage tanks including, without limitation, cylindrical storage tanks, spherical storage tanks, open tanks, rail car-tanks, car-tank trailers, ships and barges .
• the portable unloading apparatus discharges fire-fighting agents such as fire-fighting foam on the surface of the storage tank.
• the portable unloading apparatus can also discharge the fire-fighting agents directly onto the surface of the burning substance.
• Fire-fighting agents may comprise any number of known fire-fighting mixtures such as foam and water concentrate, foam and air concentrate, powders in transport media, chemical agents, colloid suspension, gel and other agents.
• One or more different types of fire fighting agents can be applied to a fire either simultaneously or one at a time.
• the system disclosed herein comprises one or more portable unloading devices that can be mounted in the liquid fuel storage tank to discharge at least one fire-fighting agent. Additionally, the system may comprise one or more portable installer devices for installing said portable unloader devices in said tank. Additionally, the system may comprise one or more conveyor devices for carrying at least one portable fire-fighting device and at least one portable installation device. Additionally, the system may comprise one or more anti-fire conditioner apparatus for preparing the formulated proportions of the fire-fighting agent and the means of transport.
• the system disclosed here also provides a method and a portable installer for extinguishing fires by installing one or more portable unloading devices in the storage tank to discharge a fire agent; and providing a transport apparatus for carrying at least one portable unloader and a portable installer.
• the portable unloader, the portable installer and other accessories to deliver fire-fighting agents must be easily transported to the fire site.
• the portable installer is deployed near the burning tank and is used to place one or more of the portable unloading devices on the upper perimeter of the tank wall after the conflagration has started and the phase of possible violent explosions has passed.
• the portable installer can be removed without preventing continuous operation of the portable unloader. After this, the portable installer can be used to mount another portable unloader in the tank or in other tanks. Only one source of pressurized fluid (eg, transport medium) is needed for use with multiple portable unloader devices.
• pressurized fluid eg, transport medium
• a portable unloading apparatus may comprise a hollow circular tube, referred to as a discharge conduit.
• a discharge fitting can be attached to the discharge conduit to direct the flow of the fire-fighting agent in a specific direction.
• the discharge fitting can be connected to the discharge conduit in a coupling joint to direct the flow of the fire-fighting agent in other directions.
• a flow collimator is coupled to the other end of the discharge conduit and supplies fire-fighting agents to the discharge conduit.
• the flow collimator can also include a jet stream improvement plate, which increases the flow rate of the fire-fighting agents, thereby improving the mixing of the fire-fighting agent with the incoming air to efficiently aerate the fire-fighting agent. fire. Specifically, in a first instance of an anti-fire agent of foam concentrate mixed with water, the shock of the concentrate mixture with the incoming air generates a better quality of fire foam.
• the portable installer can also comprise a plurality of extendable sections so that the length of the apparatus can be adjusted to the corresponding height of a particular storage tank. Specifically, extending the length of the telescopic mast of the apparatus portable installer, the portable unloading device (or devices) can be mounted or placed in storage tanks of different heights.
• the portable installer can also have a compact folding configuration so that it can be easily transported as a pre-assembled structure that can be quickly deployed in the place of fire for rapid deployment and operation. Another advantage of the system revealed here is its low cost of operation and acquisition.
• Figure 1A is a perspective view of one aspect of the invention in which a portable unloader is shown coupled to the portable installer prior to the extension of the portable installer.
• Figure 1 B is a perspective view of another aspect of the invention in which a portable unloader is shown coupled to the portable installer after the portable installer has been extended and prior to being mounted or placed in the storage tank .
• Figure 1C is a perspective view of another aspect of the invention in which a portable unloader is shown coupled to the portable installer.
• Figure 1D is a perspective view of another aspect of the invention in which a portable unloader is mounted or placed on top of the storage tank and the portable installer has been removed.
• Figure 1E is a perspective view of another aspect of the invention in which a plurality of portable unloader devices are mounted or placed on top of the storage tank and the portable installer has been removed.
• Figure 2A is a side view of a portable unloader according to an aspect of the invention.
• Figure 2B is a side view of an arc-shaped flow discharger fitting according to another aspect of the invention.
• Figure 2C is a side view of a portable unloading apparatus and an arc-shaped flow discharger accessory that are mounted or placed on top of the wall of a storage tank according to one aspect. of the invention
• Figure 2D is a front view of a portable unloading apparatus and an arc-shaped flow discharger accessory according to an aspect of the invention.
• Figure 2E is a side view of a portable unloader according to another aspect of the invention using a mounting ring for positioning or mounting.
• Figure 2F is a side view of a portable unloading apparatus and an arc-shaped flow unloading fixture that are mounted or placed on top of the wall of a storage tank using a mounting ring.
• Figure 2G is a side view of a portable unloader according to another aspect of the invention showing a passageway.
• Figure 2H is a side view of a portable unloading apparatus, an arc-shaped flow unloading accessory and a passageway according to another aspect of the invention.
• Figure 3A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternate instance of the portable unloading apparatus that includes a receiver conduit, a jet stream improvement plate and a flow collimator positioned for operations with high pressure systems.
• Figure 3B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternate instance of the portable discharger apparatus that includes a receiver conduit, a jet stream improvement plate and a flow collimator positioned for operations with low pressure systems.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternate instance of a receiver duct, showing a flow collimator, a support rod receptacle and a support rod.
• Figures 5A to 5C are sequences of the perspective views showing a portable unloading apparatus and an arc-shaped flow discharger fitting delivering fire-fighting agents to the inner wall of the storage tank.
• Figures 6A to 6C are sequences of the perspective views showing another case of a portable discharger apparatus delivering fire fighting agents directly to the surface of the liquid in the storage tank.
• Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a mixing apparatus for mixing the fire-fighting agent with the transport means according to an aspect of the invention.
• Figure 8A is a front view of an alternate instance of the portable installer apparatus with the telescopic mast fully retracted and the collapsible base tube and the lateral support struts fully folded into a compact structure.
• Figure 8B is a front view of an alternate instance of the portable installer apparatus with the telescopic mast fully retracted and the collapsible base tube and the lateral support struts partially folded into a more compact structure.
• Figure 8C is a front view of an alternate instance of the portable installer apparatus with the telescopic mast fully retracted and the collapsible base tube and fully extended lateral support struts.
• Figure 9A is a front view of an alternate instance of the apparatus portable installer with the fully retracted telescopic mast and the extendable telescopic base tube and the extendable telescopic support side struts in a fully retracted position.
• Figure 9B is a front view of an alternate instance of the portable installer apparatus in which the telescopic mast, the telescopic base tube and the telescopic support side struts are partially extended.
• Figure 9C is a front view of an alternate instance of the portable installer apparatus in which the telescopic mast, the telescopic base tube and the telescopic support side struts have been fully extended.
• Figure 9D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternate instance of the telescopic mast showing the arrangement of internal locks between the telescopic cylinders and between the mast and the base tube.
• Figure 9E is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternate instance of the telescopic mast showing the arrangement of internal locks between the telescopic cylinders.
• Figures 10A to 10C are side views of an alternate instance of the invention, showing the increase in the separation distance between the base of the portable installation apparatus and the base of the storage tank wall for three incremental heights of the tank wall.
• Figure 11A is a perspective view of an alternate instance of a conveyor for a sled unloader, a portable installer, a portable unloader and accessories.
• Figure 11 B is a perspective view of an alternate instance of an unloading sled for a portable installer, a portable unloading apparatus and accessories.
• Figure 11 C is a perspective view of the main components of a portable installer, a portable unloader and accessories according to an alternate instance of the invention.
• Figure 11D is a perspective view of one aspect of the invention depicting the assembly of the portable installer and the portable unloader.
• Figures 12A to 12C are sequences of the perspective views of one aspect of the invention depicting a method of moving the portable installer assembled with the portable unloading apparatus, on board the conveyor apparatus, into the storage tank.
• FIGURE 1A Two components of a fire fighting system according to one aspect of the invention are represented in FIGURE 1A: a portable unloading apparatus 100 and a portable installer 105.
• the portable unloading apparatus 100 can be temporarily coupled to the portable installer 105 such that one or more of the portable unloading devices 100 can be mounted or placed on top of a storage tank 110. After the portable unloading device 100 is mounted or placed in the storage tank 110, the fire-fighting agents they are introduced at one end of the portable unloading apparatus and delivered to the discharge end to extinguish a fire in the storage tank.
• the portable unloading apparatus 100 consists of several components, of which some are represented in FIGURE 1A.
• the components shown include a receiver conduit 115, a flow collimator 120, a discharge conduit 125, and an arc-shaped flow discharger fitting 130.
• a feed hose 135 is attached to the flow collimator 120 to supply the source of fire-fighting agents to the portable unloading apparatus 100.
• the mixing apparatus 140 adapted to mix the fire-fighting agent concentrate with a source of a transport medium in the proportions required before being fed to the feed hose 135. Accordingly a feed hose for transport means 142 and a feed hose for fire agent 144 are connected to the mixing apparatus 140.
• the portable installer 105 also consists of several components, of which some are represented in FIGURE 1 A. These components they include a telescopic mast 150, a base tube 165 and a pair of lateral support struts 170.
• the telescopic mast 150, the base tube 165 and the lateral support struts 170 are generally arranged in a triangular shape to provide a simple and stable support to erect the portable installer apparatus 105.
• a support rod 155 with a horizontal control rod 160 is fixed on top of the telescopic mast 150.
• the support rod 155 and the support rod receptacle 175 connect the portable unloader apparatus 100 to the portable installer 105.
• portable unloader 100 can be temporarily coupled to portable installer 105 by inserting the support rod 155 into the support rod receptacle 175, which is permanently attached to the receiving conduit 115.
• the case shown represents a support rod 155 and a support rod receptacle 175 co
• other coupling devices will be apparent to those with common skills, such as a hook and loop connection, or other means.
• Some of the other components of the portable installer apparatus 105 are the stabilizer braces 180, which can be coupled to the telescopic mast 150 to give stability and control during the installation of the portable unloader 100.
• the stabilizer lines 185 are also shown, which are they connect to the ends of the horizontal control rod 160 to give greater stability and control in the orientation of the portable unloader during the installation process.
• FIGURE 1A Another aspect of the portable fire extinguishing system depicted in FIGURE 1A is an installation controller 190 that controls the flow of the hydraulic fluid to the portable installer 105.
• the installation controller 190 provides a bi-directional flow of the hydraulic fluid, from the hydraulic line 192 to the telescopic mast 150.
• the telescopic mast 150 extends , therefore, by lifting the portable unloading apparatus 100 until it reaches the height of the storage tank 110.
• the hydraulic fluid is injected or removed from the hollow cavity of the telescopic mast 150 to expand or contract the telescopic mast 150.
• the hydraulic fluid flows into or out of the cylindrical cavity through the line hydraulic 192 having a quick connect valve, which functions as a unidirectional valve, connected in a hole in the base of the telescopic mast 150.
• the operation of the unidirectional valve is deactivated at the moment that the hydraulic line 192 is inserted into the coupling of quick connection and activated when hydraulic line 192 is removed from the quick connect coupling.
• a ladder 194 that can be placed between the base tube 165 of portable installer 105 and the wall of the storage tank 110.
• the ladder 194 is used for maintain a distance between the portable installer apparatus 105 and the wall of the storage tank 110, during the installation of the portable unloading apparatus 100, thus increasing the stability in front of the portable installer apparatus 105 as the portable unloading apparatus 100 is raised or lowered .
• FIGURE 1B A fully extended portable installer 105 is shown in FIGURE 1B where the telescopic sections of the telescopic mast 150 are fully extended. As described above, the extension and retraction of the telescopic mast are controlled by the installation controller 190.
• the telescopic mast 150 of the portable installer apparatus 105 consists of a plurality of axially concentric sliding hollow cylinders. The inner hollow cylinder slides out of the upper end of the outer cylinder to extend the telescopic mast along the common axis, to the length required to reach the upper perimeter of the storage tank 110.
• a wide variety of means are known in the art and are available to extend or contract the internal cylinders of the 150 telescopic mast.
• the telescopic mast is lowered to place the portable unloading apparatus 100 on the edge of the storage tank. 110.
• the portable installer apparatus 105 can be decoupled from the portable unloading apparatus 100, thus leaving the portable unloading apparatus 100 mounted on the storage tank 110. Then that the portable installation apparatus 105 has been used to place a portable unloading apparatus 100 in the storage tank 110, can be moved to other places to successively mount a plurality of portable unloading devices 100.
• FIGURE 1C depicts the assembly of portable installer 105 and portable unloader 100 according to an aspect of the invention.
• the Portable installer 105 is shown with telescopic mast 150 raised at the distal end and supported using assembly support 198 for the purpose of facilitating the assembly process.
• FIGURE 1D A portable unloader apparatus 100 that has been mounted or placed in a storage tank 110 is depicted in FIGURE 1D.
• a feed hose 135 remains connected to the portable unloading apparatus 100 so that the fire-fighting agent can be continuously applied to the storage tank 110.
• the portable unloading apparatus 100 is mounted or placed on top of the storage tank. 110, can operate independently to supply fire-fighting agents without portable installer 105.
• More than one portable unloading apparatus 100 can be mounted or placed in the storage tank 110. This instance is represented in FIGURE 1E where 3 different portable unloading devices 100 are mounted or placed in the storage tank 110. This instance may be appropriate. for tanks with a large area or for large fires, which may require the application of large quantities of fire-fighting agent.
• FIGURE 2 A depicts a detailed side view of the portable unloading apparatus 100.
• the portable unloading apparatus 100 may consist of a flow collimator 120, a receiving conduit 115, a discharging conduit 125 and a rod rod receptacle. support 175.
• the first positioning arm 205 and the second positioning arm 210 work in unison to give the required orientation to the apparatus portable unloader 100 and to maintain the positional stability of the portable unloader 100 on the upper edge of the wall of the storage tank 110.
• the portable unloader 100 can be stabilized in this position using several other coupling mechanisms such as spring stabilizers. , jaws, magnets and other means known in the art.
• This instance of the portable unloading apparatus 100 is capable of directing the flow of the fire-fighting agent directly towards the surface of the burning liquid inside the storage tank 110.
• the portable unloading apparatus 100 is also equipped with connection means, in this instance with connection bolts 215, which allow the connection of various alternate accessories to the portable unloader 100.
• FIGURE 2B Another component that can be used with the portable unloading apparatus 100 is an arc-shaped flow unloading fixture 130, of which a representative instance is shown in FIGURE 2B.
• the unloading accessory 130 is used to direct the flow of the fire-fighting agent, which is being discharged from the portable unloading apparatus 100, in a specific direction to extinguish the fire.
• the arc-shaped flow discharge fitting 130 of FIGURE 2B is designed to be connected to the end of the discharge conduit 125 by joining the connecting bolts 215 with a clamp 220 of the arc-shaped flow discharging fitting 130.
• a wide variety Other means for attaching the arc-shaped flow discharge fitting 130 with the discharge conduit 125 are known in the art and may be suitable for use with this invention, such as spring tensioners, buckles or other means.
• FIGURE 2C A portable discharger apparatus 100 that includes an arc-shaped flow discharger attachment 130 is depicted in FIGURE 2C where the apparatus portable unloader 100 is mounted on the upper edge of the wall of a storage tank 110. Since the portable unloader apparatus 100 is mounted or placed in the storage tank 110, the first positioning arm 205 maintains the space between the portable unloading apparatus 100 and the wall of the storage tank 110. Additionally, the second positioning arm 210 diets the apparatus 100 at the upper edge of the wall of the storage tank 110. A feed hose 135 is connected to the flow collimator 120 to supply a mixture of anti-fire agents to the receiving duct 115. In Fig.
• FIGURE 2D is a front view of the portable unloading apparatus 100 and an arc-shaped flow discharger attachment 130.
• FIGURE 2E a front view of the portable unloader 100 is shown.
• This instance incorporates a mounting ring 225 which is fixed to the receiving duct 115.
• This mounting ring 225 provides another means by which portable unloader 100 can be mounted or placed in a storage tank 110.
• portable unloader 100 can be raised or lowered by coupling the mounting ring 225 with a hook that is connected to a crane or other similar means of transport.
• FIGURE 2F depicts an alternate instance for the portable unloading apparatus 100, with an arc-shaped flow discharger attachment 130 and the mounting ring 225, mounted or placed on the upper edge of the wall of a tank of storage 110.
• FIGURE 2G a side view of a particular instance of the portable unloading apparatus 100 is shown, where a passageway 240 is externally coupled to the receiving conduit 115, passes into the discharge conduit 125 and ends concentrically at the outlet of the conduit duct. download
• Passage conduit 240 is used to deliver an additional fire-fighting agent, such as dusts, colloids, gls, etc., into the discharge stream of the fire-fighting agent being delivered through the discharge conduit. 125. This instance allows the use of more than one fire-fighting agent simultaneously and directs the flow of the fire-fighting agents directly towards the surface of the burning liquid in the storage tank 110.
• an additional fire-fighting agent such as dusts, colloids, gls, etc.
• FIGURE 2H a side view of a particular instance, of the portable unloading apparatus 100 and an arc-shaped flow discharger fitting 130, is shown where the passageway 240 extends concentrically through the interior of the flow discharging fitting. in the form of an arc 130.
• This instance allows the use of more than one fire-fighting agent simultaneously and directs the flow of the fire-fighting agents directly towards the inner wall of the storage tank 110.
• the passage duct 240 may be attached externally to the portable unloading apparatus 100 and the arc-shaped flow unloading fixture 130. More than one additional passage duct 240 may be fixed to the portable unloading apparatus 100 for transporting and delivering a plurality of fire fighting agents.
• FIGURE 3A depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternate instance of portable unloader 100, illustrating the positioning of the flow collimator 120 in the receiving duct 115, as well as the mixing operation provided by these elements.
• the fire-fighting agents pass through the flow collimator 120, they are aerated and passed from the receiving conduit 115 to the discharge conduit 125.
• a mixture of foam concentrate is supplied to the first end 305 of the flow collimator 120 by means of a feed hose 135.
• the transport of the mixture through the flexible feed hose 135 imposes a high degree of turbulence or a non-uniform speed to the flow of the mixture that reaches the first end 305, shown by arrows 310.
• the flow collimator 120 is used to precondition the flow of the mixture to obtain a greater degree of uniformity in the velocity of the flow. flow of the mixture, as represented by arrows 315, prior to passage through the jet stream improvement plate 325 with an end result of a pr Foam generation process better, more efficient and more cost effective.
• the flow collimator 120 may consist of a cylindrical tube long enough to collimate the mixture. Upon reaching the second end 320 of the flow collimator 120, the foam concentrate mixture passes through a jet stream improvement plate 325.
• the jet stream improvement plate 325 increases the flow rate and directs the foam concentrate mixture towards the inner surface of the receiving duct 115 thus increasing the impact force between the foam concentrate mixture and the air 330, resulting in a better foaming process. Moreover, the flow of the foam concentrate mixture from the flow collimator 120 to the receiving duct 115 drags a air source 330 through the air inlet port 335, which is located at the first end of the receiving duct 115. At the time the foaming agent is distributed throughout the interior of the receiving duct 115, it is mixed with the air 330 which it is drawn in from the air inlet port 335, to generate the foam 340 which will be directed towards the second end of the receiving duct 115.
• FIGURE 3A uses a flow collimator 120 and a plate for improving the jet stream 325 to generate foam 340, however someone with common art skills may realize that other configurations can be used to generate foam.
• FIGURE 3B depicts an alternate instance of the invention where the jet stream improvement plate 325, together with the collimator tube 120, is positioned at a height such that it reduces the vertical foam column between the jet stream improvement plate. jet 325 and the upper end of the receiving duct 115, thus allowing a lower system pressure to overcome the back pressure of the foam 340 and thus obtaining a greater flow of fire-fighting agent at a lower pressure.
• This alternate instance incorporates many components of the instance shown in FIGURE 3A. However, the instance represented in FIGURE 3B incorporates certain differences. Specifically, a much larger proportion of the flow collimator 120 is placed inside the receiving duct 115. Additionally vents 350 are incorporated into the wall of the receiving duct 115 to facilitate mixing of the fire-fighting agents and air 330.
• FIGURE 4 A perspective view of an alternate instance of the connection between the flow collimator 120 and the receiver conduit 115 is shown in FIGURE 4.
• the flow collimator 120 is fixed to the receiving conduit 115 by means of a series of fins 400.
• the fins 400 ensure the separation between the flow collimator 120 and the receiving conduit 115 resulting in an air inlet port 335 in the First end of the receiving conduit 115.
• the support rod receptacle 175 which is fixed outside the receiving conduit 115.
• the support rod receptacle 175 is designed to receive the support rod 155 which is fixed to the telescopic mast 150 of the portable installer 105 (not shown).
• the portable installer 105 may be temporarily connected to the portable unloader 100 by inserting the support rod 155 into the support rod receptacle 175.
• the support rod receptacle 175 may include a flared termination 410 designed to guide the support rod 155 to the support rod receptacle 175, so that the portable unloader apparatus 100 can be easily coupled and decoupled from the portable installer apparatus 105.
• the support rod receptacle 175 and the support rod 155 shown in FIGURE 4 have Square cross-sectional areas adapted to prevent rotation of the support rod receptacle 175 with respect to the support rod 155.
• FIGURE 4 also shows an oval point at the upper end of the support rod 155 with the purpose of facilitating the coupling of the support rod 155 with the receptacle support rod angle 175.
• Other forms of coupling may exist with their corresponding cross-sections to prevent rotation such as triangular cross-section, etc.
• the horizontal control rod 160 which can be used to stabilize and control the orientation of the portable unloader 100.
• FIGURES 5A to 5C The use of an instance of the portable unloader apparatus 100 is shown in FIGURES 5A to 5C.
• FIGURE 5A a portable unloading apparatus 100 has been mounted or placed on the upper edge of the wall of a storage tank 110.
• an arc-shaped flow unloading fixture 130 is attached to the discharge conduit 125 , so that the fire-fighting agent 500 is directed against the inner wall of the storage tank 110.
• the fire-fighting agent flows down and in contact with the inner wall of the storage tank 110, in the form of a continuous cascade and thick, as shown in FIGURE 5B.
• the fire-fighting agent 500 continues to be applied, it disperses evenly on the surface 510 of the burning liquid contained in the storage tank 110, as shown in FIGURE 5C.
• the destructive effects of fire on the fire-fighting agent layer such as, repel movement or destruction of continuity, of the fire-fighting agent layer, are overcome by the back pressure that exists at the advancing edge of the anti-fire agent layer. This backpressure of the anti-fire agent layer is generated from the point where it starts its flow down the inner wall of the storage tank 100, to the point where it contacts the liquid contained in the storage tank.
• fire-fighting agents can also be used to extract heat from the burning liquid contained in the storage tank 110. In this way, the temperature of the burning liquid is lowered to less than the ignition point. thus contributing to extinguish the fire.
• Another instance of the portable unloader apparatus 100 is represented in the
• FIGURES 6A to 6C a portable unloader is mounted or placed on the upper edge of the wall of the storage tank 110. However, in this instance the arc-shaped flow discharger attachment 130 is not used. Accordingly, the fire-fighting agent 500, which is discharged from the discharge conduit 125, is directed directly towards the surface 510 of the burning liquid contained in the storage tank 110. Eventually, while the anti-fire agent If the fire continues to be delivered from the portable unloading device 100, the entire surface 510 of the burning liquid contained in the storage tank 110 will be covered with the fire-fighting agent 500, thereby cutting off the oxygen supply and extinguishing the fire (FIGURES 6B and 6C).
• FIGURE 7 A representative instance of the mixing apparatus 140 is shown in FIGURE 7.
• the mixing apparatus mixes the transport medium with the anti-fire agent concentrate, such as a foaming mixture, and feeds this mixture in the feed hose 135.
• a feed hose of transport means 142 is connected to the first end 700 of the mixing apparatus 140.
• a pressure gauge 705 can be coupled to the feed hose of transport means 142 To measure the pressure.
• Inside the mixing apparatus 140 is an inspirer 720. The inspirer 720 drags the supply of fire-fighting agent concentrate, through the admission of fire-fighting agent concentrate 730, which is mixed with the transport medium.
• the internal diameter of the intake of fire-fighting agent concentrate 730 is previously selected to supply the required proportions of the fire-fighting agent concentrate and the means of transport.
• a fire-fighting agent feed hose 144 is coupled to the intake of fire-fighting agent concentrate 730 to supply the fire-fighting agent concentrate to the mixing apparatus 140.
• a mixture of means of transport and concentrate of fire-fighting agent is supplied to feed hose 135.
• FIGURES 8A-8C A representative instance of the portable installer apparatus 105 is shown in FIGURES 8A-8C.
• the portable installer apparatus 105 may consist of a telescopic mast 150, a base tube 165 and a pair of lateral support struts 170.
• Each of the struts Support sides are coupled to their respective end of the base tube 165 by means of couplers 900.
• the other end of the support side strut 170 is coupled to a clamp ring 905 that is attached to the telescopic mast 150.
• a support rod 155 and a Horizontal control rod 160 may be attached to the distal end of the telescopic mast 150.
• the support rod 155 can be used to couple the portable unloader 100 to the distal end of the telescopic mast 150.
• the horizontal control rod 160 when used with the stabilizer lines 185, provides vertical stability to the telescopic mast 150 and horizontal orientation to the portable unloader 100 when mounted or placed on the upper edge of the wall of the storage tank 110.
• the portable installer 105 can be retracted into a unit that can be easily folded and stored. This instance is represented in FIGURES 8B and 8C.
• the base tube 165 and each of the lateral support struts 170 also contain pivot joints 910, which allow the rigid parts to be folded into a more compact structure.
• a fully retracted and folded instance of the portable installer 105 is depicted in FIGURE 8C.
• Each of the pivot joints 910 has its corresponding sliding cover 915, which is used to secure the joint 910 when the portable installer 105 is fully extended.
• the sliding covers 915 have been positioned on the pivot joints 910 to maintain the rigidity of the respective lateral support struts 170 and the stiffness of the base tube 165.
• the anchors of the base 920 which are used to secure base tube 165 to the ground or other surface while the portable unloading apparatus 100 is raised or placed on the upper edge of the wall of the storage tank 110.
• the base tube 175, the lateral support struts 170 and the telescopic mast 150 are composed of telescopic parts that easily extend or contract, so that the portable installer 105 can be used with a wide variety of storage tank sizes.
• FIGURES 9A-9E This concept is illustrated in FIGURES 9A-9E.
• FIGURE 9A an instance of the portable installer is shown, where the parts of the telescopic mast 150, the base tube 165 and the lateral support struts 170 are in their respective contracted positions.
• the telescopic mast 150, the base tube 165 and the lateral support struts 170 are partially extended in such a position that they allow the portable unloader 100, coupled to the support rod 155 at the distal end of the mast telescopic 150, can be mounted or placed on the upper edge of a storage tank 110 that has a relatively medium height.
• the telescopic mast 150, the base tube 165 and the lateral support struts 170 are fully extended in such a position that they allow the portable unloader 100, coupled to the support rod 155 at the distal end of the mast telescopic 150, can be mounted or placed on the upper edge of a storage tank 110 that has a relatively high height.
• FIGURES 9D and 9E the instance of an arrangement of stops and wedges is shown to prevent the rotation of the parts of the telescopic mast 150, with respect to the base tube 165 and thus ensure the angular transverse orientation of the portable unloader 100 in the placement or mounting on the edge upper wall of the storage tank 110.
• a longitudinal cross section shows an instance of the inside of the telescopic mast 150 in which an arrangement of a wedge 960 is coupled to the base of the telescopic mast 150.
• a channel in "U" shape 965 is fixed to the base support receptacle 970 which is fixed to the base tube 165.
• FIGURE 9E a longitudinal view of the cross section of an instance of the telescopic mast 150 shows an instance of inner padlock devices between adjacent telescopic sections, which prevent rotation of the telescopic mast 150 with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the base tube 165.
• This specific instance uses an arrangement of minted rings 945 coupled to the inner wall of the telescopic section and a channel 940 along the entire outer wall of the next internal telescopic section , as shown in FIGURES 9D-9E.
• Other appropriate configurations of internal stops will be apparent to someone with common skills, to prevent rotation between telescopic sections, such as reversing the configuration of stops and wedges or using rectangular telescopic sections or other means.
• FIGURE 9D also represents an instance of a bi-directional flow apparatus 930 for entering or exiting the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line 192 (not shown), and is adapted to prevent pressure loss inside the telescopic mast 150 when the hydraulic line 192 is removed either intentionally or accidentally.
• FIGURE 9D also An instance of a purge apparatus 935 is shown.
• One aspect of the purge apparatus 935 is the removal of the remaining hydraulic fluids before storage of the portable installer 105. This prevents corrosion of the internal cavities of the telescopic mast 150, when it is not in operation.
• the second aspect of the purge apparatus 935 is the relief of hydraulic pressure in the telescopic mast 150 in order to avoid, damage to the seals and weaken the structural integrity of the telescopic members.
• FIGURES 10A-10C represent the key differences in the process of mounting the portable unloader 100 in storage tanks 110 of various heights.
• the length of the ladder 194 can be adjusted to predetermined lengths corresponding to different heights of the storage tank 110 or flexibly adjusted at the site in response to the specific environment and available space.
• the ladder 194 serves to set the distance between the lower part of the wall of the storage tank 110 and the base tube 165 of the portable installer 105 and to achieve the correct inclination degree of the portable installer 105, to ensure the directional stability of the apparatus when it is raised to mount or remove the portable unloader 100.
• FIGURES 11A-11E represent another aspect of the invention where an instance is shown for the purpose of transporting the fire fighting apparatus of the present invention.
• FIGURE 11A A conveyor apparatus 1100 is shown in FIGURE 11A, which is adapted to be manually maneuvered or mechanically dragged to the location of the burning storage tank 100.
• the conveyor 1100 is adapted to carry the portable unloader 100, the portable installer 105 and accessories on board.
• FIGURE 11B shows an unloading sled 1105, which is adapted to contain and transport fire fighting devices.
• the unloading sled 1105 is designed such that it can be transported in various ways including, a truck, a railroad car, a van, a boat or a helicopter. Additionally, the unloading sled 1105 is designed such that it can be pulled or carried across a variety of surfaces so that all components of the present invention can be easily transported near the fire.
• FIGURE 11C the portable unloading apparatus 100 and the portable installer apparatus 105 are loaded in the unloading sled 105, where all the fire fighting apparatus and accessories of the present invention can be easily transported and deployed in the fire place.
• FIGURE 11D depicts the unloading sled 1105 loaded with the portable unloading apparatus 100, the portable installer apparatus 105 and the accessories on board the conveyor unit 1100.
• FIGS. 12A-12C A perspective view of an alternate instance of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12C, where the portable installer 105 and the portable unloader 100 are fully assembled on board the conveyor 1100.
• the conveyor 1100 is adapted for moving the portable installer 105 assembled with the portable unloader 100 from a distant assembly point to the wall of the storage tank 110.
• the portable installer 105 is adapted with a second telescopic apparatus 1210, in where the second telescopic apparatus 1210 is adapted to erect the portable installer apparatus 105 together with the portable unloader apparatus 100 to a position fully vertical using two mounting stumps 1205, which join with each end of the base tube 165.
• the two mounting stumps 1205 together with the ends of the base tube 165 provide the erection rotation and securing of the portable installer in the fully vertical position .
• a person with common skills in the art will recognize that other configurations can be used in the assembly, transport and erection of the portable installer.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
• Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

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• 2003
  • 2003-01-22 US US10/349,742 patent/US7114575B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-10-03 MX MXNL03000035A patent/MXNL03000035A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2003-11-11 AU AU2003279594A patent/AU2003279594A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-11-11 EA EA200501163A patent/EA007559B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-11-11 EP EP03772928A patent/EP1595578B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-11-11 DE DE60324199T patent/DE60324199D1/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-11-11 WO PCT/MX2003/000098 patent/WO2004064926A1/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-11-11 AT AT03772928T patent/ATE411087T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-11-11 BR BR0317945-1A patent/BR0317945A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation

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